This session is a welcoming, reflective space designed to help participants begin exploring their relationship with AI in a way that centres human values, connection, and wellbeing. It is particularly suited to those in the VCSE sector who may be curious, cautious, or unsure where to begin.
Rather than diving straight into technicalities, we start with conversation: What are people feeling about AI? What hopes, concerns, and questions do they hold? What role might AI play in their organisations, and where are the boundaries?
Facilitated by Jolene Sheehan, the session will involve the sharing of some experiential learning of AI tools, but only to ground the conversation. This is not a training or sales pitch. It's a space for curiosity, reflection, and honest exploration—anchored in the lived realities of the VCSE sector.
Session Elements
- Mindful check-ins using self-care circle tools to support awareness and grounding
- Facilitated discussion to explore feelings, hopes, and challenges around AI
- Interactive activities for example, a quiz and collaborative mapping exercise.
- Live demos of tools like ChatGPT and Otter AI, (incorporating other screen-free based learning activities), with a focus on practical, human-centred use cases
- Shared reflection including a range of views and values.
Purpose & Outcomes
Participants will:
- Feel heard and connected in a shared space of reflection
- Gain initial insight into how AI might fit (or not) in their specific context
- Leave with greater clarity around their needs, hopes, and boundaries
- Help shape any future Macc learning offers around AI
About the facilitator
Jolene is a former teacher of 22 years and now leads Joy Ethic, a Community Interest Company focused on wellbeing, creativity and connection. She uses a mix of of tech-based and non-digital tools to support mindful, human-first approaches to learning, self-expression and purpose.
Participants must be from voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations (VCSE) within Greater Manchester.
As this session is open to a limited number of participants, please be advised that organisations will be restricted to a maximum number of two people on this course. If additional places are required, please contact conor@macc.org.uk